UD Architect to Hobbyist?

T

The Architect

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As many of you may know, its my last day at Upper Deck tomorrow. I gave my resignation 2 weeks ago and felt it was time for me to move on.

Its been a great run for 8.5 years at UD and its was an AMAZING experience. Initially creating NHL and NBA products back in 2001. My first NBA launch was 2001/02 Sweet Shot and my first NHL launch was 2001/02 SP game used Hockey.

Afterwards i moved solely to Basketball for 3 years including Lebron's rookie year. My return to Hockey started in 2004/05 lockout year.

All i can say is wow, what a ride. If you could spend a few days in my shoes, you would think that it would be fun. The word I will use is challenging (fun and other words too ).

After returning back on Hockey, I was amazed to find that the Hockey collectors are the most passionate collectors in the marketplace and motivated me to create and reinnovate our brands.

To be honest, I remained longer at UD to help right the ship with the collectors. I wish I could connect with all of you but if you feel sleighted that I didn't, I'm truly sorry (we can still meet up even though I no longer work for UD). Despite all of the constructive criticism on the boards, the summits, phone calls and emails, these only inspire me to create better brands or solutions. Sigh....maybe I haven't resolved all of them...but it isnt for the lack of trying.

For those that had an opportunity to know me, knows that I'm just as passionate and commited to the hobby like all of you. Imagine all of the calls and emails I get (and I'm not even CS) and TRY to accomodate if I can.

If anything, from my interactions with many of you, I hope that many of you have a better understanding of why certain things are in the hobby. There are reasons why we build the products the way we do and not just to frustrate you. I hope that you could understand that. I hoped that I have given some valuable insight to the business. I know some of you know more than others but that is natural due to the amount of interaction you had with me (so you won't be known as an UD apologist anymore):|

Just reading the pages of discussion on the licensing situation indicates the strong passion you all have for the hobby. This in itself is great to see. Its refreshing great to see all of the well thoughtout dialogues on HI.

As for myself, I need to take a break from everything. Over the last 8.5 years I have put my personal life behind my job and its time to refocus and get my life back on track. Some R and R for me ...dont know where but I will prb taking a few pictures whever I am (look me up on twitter). I just bought a Nikon D90 and plan to use it, like I did at the Olympics.

I'm sure that I will be seeing you all in the near future, hopefully I can attend a few shows (on my own dime) in Vancouver or Calgary. I will probably be in Toronto for the spring expo. Please say HI to me at the shows.

Lets enjoy the hobby together and have some fun! I will get to open some wax again and be a kid again. I still havent decided what I will collect yet but I will let you all know when I decide.

Happy cracking (for wax breaking) and Happy Hunting! (for those looking for their white whale)

Take care!

Karvin

PS For the time being I bid adieu as a manufacturer and join the site as a hobbyist :beer:
 
Welcome to our side of the fence.

Nice to have you aboard. You were always very approachable at the UD booth.

Good luck with the new turn in life!!!
 
Good Luck To you on all your future endeavors karvin! it was great to meet and get to know you while you worked for UD, and look forward to our future meetings when you come van and possibly at the toronto expo's!

welcome to HI as a hobbyist/collector. it will be nice making fun of UD together LOL
 
I only talked to you once and that was in chat 2 days ago and I learned more in the 20min about UD and how they run then I ever thought I would know. Thanks again for that information. Welcome to the Hobbyist/Collector side:beer:

P.S. PLEASE DON"T COLLECT COLTON GILLIE'S:owned:
 
I also have only talked to you once but i really appreciated your candid comments and attempts at understanding my situation (whether or not we agreed) and most important WELCOME!!!!
 
Thank God. Karvin, I've maintained that you and Chris Carlin were/are two of Upper Deck's brightest spots. I would also venture to guess that a lot of the stuff that went on over there tied your hands and you had to go with what the company wanted to do but I also know you did your best.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown, and I hope you hit the ground running on your next career path. I know a lot of people appreciated your efforts and even though most don't have a lot of nice things to say about Upper Deck, you can sleep well knowing that plenty good is said about you.
 
Hi Karvin, Sometimes change is good. Thanks for doing what you could for me on that 06/07 Beehive Gold Card mess.
Best Regards,
Jim
 
Karvin,

Best wishes - I am sure the hobby is better off for what you did & tried to accomplish.
I know how difficult it is on the mind & spirit getting thrown one way & another trying to make the corrections you did. I cannot really think of another company representative that called me on a Sunday (several times) to get a situation resolved - and that shows your passion for the hobby & it's followers!! Hopefully you will be back sooner than later, full of new ideas and a new resolve!!!!


I hear Italy is spectacular this time of year!!!!!

Peace out.

Bruce
 
Karvin, thanks for all the good you did, and tried to do behind the scenes at UD. I know you've probably taken a lot of crap from a lot of people over the years (and maybe even a little from me) which you've handled more gracefully than most could have, from what I've seen, read, and heard.
I hope you find your decision to leave UD was a good one. I know it is a loss for them, and a loss for hockey collectors.
 
Woah that's crazy news! Good luck and I hope you stick around the boards!
 
Karvin:

I've enjoyed our chats thoroughly, and as much as getting personal life in order should be a priority, a person of your talent and communication skills will certainly land on your (career) feet whenever you are ready.

All the best, and if I can get near ya :laugh: at the Toronto Expo I'll certainly say hello!

Cheers Karvin, you did a great job!

Glenn
 
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Karvin, I'm sorry to hear that you felt it was time to leave UD. They will indeed be in dire straits without your voice and leadership.

That being said, it's also nice to have you back from "the dark side" lol!
Hope to see you at the expo!
 
We've never spoken but it is clear to me through the times you have posted on hobby message boards and the opinions of others I respect that you always had the best interests of the hobby at heart and were one of the primary bright spots at Upper Deck.

I hope the hobby gives you more reward now as a participant than as an "architect". Best of luck to you in the future.
 
Karvin,

First, best of luck in your future and congratulations on putting your personal life first and foremost. Too often, people forget about that.

You were a strong piece of a machine and you did ensure that things moved in the right direction despite having to deal with other parts of the machine that make for a bumpy ride. But for all the issues that you have had to deal with, you managed to deliver and no one can argue that you didn't do it without care and integrity.

At previous Expos, I could see that it was clear that you're passionate about what you do and were always very eloquent in trying to explain to people the atmosphere and challenges that exist in getting the job done. If only more people had relateable experiences in order to understand as opposed to just having an idea of what it takes. But you never curled up when given the task.

I have shared a lot of constructive criticism on the boards and at one point in time I feared that you may have mistaken me for an UD hater when, in fact, my intention was to be unbiased and objective. What matters to me more is that you know that my perspective included an impression of you at the highest level, a class act, and someone who was genuine in his career.

Enjoy your much deserved break. 8.5 years in this day and age is close to an eternity at a company. You definitely put your time in and deserve every moment of quality time in your life right. Enjoy it to the fullest. Live.

Frank
 
lumm0x said:
We've never spoken but it is clear to me through the times you have posted on hobby message boards and the opinions of others I respect that you always had the best interests of the hobby at heart and were one of the primary bright spots at Upper Deck.

I hope the hobby gives you more reward now as a participant than as an "architect". Best of luck to you in the future.
Click to expand...

I totally agree! I hope to meet you one day so I can learn more.
Best wishes,
:beer:
Dan V.
 
Hey Karvin
I remember the days when my brother and I would buy wax (and at times it really was wax back then) from your table at the Central Parkway Mall flea market. You've had a heck of a run in the hobby! Best of luck with whatever you decide to do in the future!
 
Great post Karvin!

I'm waited very long time that I can read some UD peoples thoughts, Ok you are former now, but this give's a great hope to everyone. There's humans behind the scene!

Welcome to the great society!
Thank you.

Harri
 

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